Snow-removal tractor attachment



Nov. 25, 1952 J. GILLIES 2,618,872

SNOW-REMOVAL TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed July 16, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR LEONHED J. GILL/ES,

Nov. 25, 1952 v J. GlLLlES SNOW-REMOVAL. TRACTOR ATTACHMENT 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 16, 1948 INVENTOR. LEONA/Q0 J; G/LL /ES,

m N W T r a Nov. 25, 1952 L. J. GILLIES 2,613,372

SNOW-REMOVAL TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed July 16, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 5FIG. 3.

W 76 .INVENTOR. LEO/when J. 0/44/55,

BY %%mwqflmw2/Wm ATTcLe/VE vs.

Nov. 25, 1952 L. J. GlLLlES 2,618,872

SNOW-REMOVAL. TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed July 16, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet '4FIG. '12.

/07 /06 IN VEN TOR.

90 150mm J Gauss n/ms y W WQ/zMI W am 99 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,618,872SNOW-REMOVAL TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Leonard J. Gillies, Sauk Centre, Minn.

Application July 16, 1948, Serial No. 39,045

1 Claim.

My invention relates to attachments for tractors, and more particularlyto an attachment comprising a rotary snow plow adapted to be detachablyconnected to the tractor and operatively driven thereby.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of my invention to providean improved snowremoval attachment for a tractor,

A further object is to provide an improved rotary snow-removalattachment for a tractor which includes means for driving the rotary atta-chment from the power take-off of the tractor, and which includesmeans operatively connecting the rotary attachment to the running gearof the tractor, whereby to propel the tractor from the power take-offindependently of the main drive of the tractor.

A further object is to provide in a snow-removal attachment, such asthat last described means, for preventing the driving of the attachmentfrom the running gear of the tractor when the latter is driven by themain drive.

A further object is to provide an improved rotary snow-removalattachment for a tractor which includes a blower for discharging snowlaterally of a road, said blower including a housing enclosing the same,a pair of laterally oppositely-directed snow-discharge spouts formed insaid housing, means for separately closing each spout, and means forreversing the direction of rotation of the blower, whereby to dischargesnow through a selected spout.

A further object is to provide in an attachment such as that lastdescribed means operatively connecting said reversing means for theblower to said closure, whereby to simultaneously open the selectedspout and close the other spout as said direction of rotation of saidblower is reversed.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of theinvention, the structure of the several elements comprising the same,combinations and sub-combinations of such elements, and/or in theparticular method of operating the device, all of which will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attacheddrawings in connection with the following specification, wherein theinvention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational view of the device according to theinvention, showing the same attached to a tractor, parts being brokenaway and shown in longitudinal vertical section;

Figure 2 is a plan View of Figure parts being broken away and shown inhorizontal section;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of Figure 1, parts being broken away andshown in transverse vertical section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially on the plane of the line 3- of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view takensubstantially on the plane of the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe plane of the line 5--6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an elevational View of a detail apart from the rest of thestructure;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially on the plane of the line 88 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a detail apartfrom the rest of the structure, parts being broken away and shown inhori zontal section;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the planeof the line |H|! of Figure 11;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view takensubstantially on the plane of the line of Figure 2:

Figure 12 is an elevational view of a detail apart from the rest of thestructure, parts being broken away;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the drive pulleys,parts being broken away and shown in vertical section.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures1, 2 and 3, l3 designates generally any suitable and/or well known formof tractor which includes driven rear wheels i i, a power take-off wheell5, a rear axle i6 for driving said wheels I4, front wheels IT, andsteering apparatus l8. As so far described, the structure of the tractorI3 is conventional and forms no part of my invention.

The rear axle it has journaled thereon on either side of the rear axlehousing I9 9. pair of clamps 2! to which are pivoted the rear ends ofside frame members 2| by any suitable pivot means 22. Forward portionsof the side frame members 2| are rigidly and vertically adjustablysecured to side frame portions of the tractor l3 by any suitablebrackets 23. As clearly seen in Figure l, the brackets '23 are providedwith vertically-aligned spaced slots 25 through which extend fasteningmeans 24 connecting the brackets to the side frame members 2|. Thus, theforward ends of the side frame members 2| may be positioned in severalvertically-adjusted positions relative to the tractor l3. The forwardends of each side frame member 2| extend forwardly of the tractor l3 andhave secured thereto for longitudinal adjustment a pair of side plates26. Bolts 21 secure the plates 26 to the forward ends of the side framemembers 2| and such forward ends may be longitudinally slotted, as at28, to provide for longitudinal adjustment of the plates 26 relative tothe side frame members '2 The inner surfaces of the forward ends of theside plates 26 have secured thereto in any suitable manner any suitablebearings 29 providing journals for the opposite ends of a drive shaft35. The drive shaft 30 is horizontally disposed and extends transverselyof the tractor forwardly thereof. The pulley 3| is fixed to the shaft 30in longitudinal alignment with the power take-01f pulley l5 aforesaid,and is operatively connected thereto by any suitable means, such as thedrive belt 32. Thus, the slots 28 in the side frame members 2| providemeans for tightening the drive belt 32.

Opposite ends of the drive shaft 30 extend laterally outwardly of theside plates 26 and are rotatable in journals 49 formed on the rear endsof pusher bars 4| for a snow-removal attachment 42. The pusher bars 4|comprise integral frame portions of the attachment 42 and comprise meansfor pivotally supporting the attachment 42 on the side frame members 2|for vertical movement to an elevated inoperative position and a loweredoperative position. The attachment 42 will be described in detail later.The attachment 42 includes a cross-frame member 36 which extendstransversely of the tractor slightly forwardly of the forward ends ofthe side frame members 2| and slightly below the same. The drive shaft33 has fixed thereon a worm wheel 33, the threads of which are in meshwith a worm gear 34 which is horizontally disposed above the cross-framemember 36 and is journaled on a vertical stub shaft fixed to said framemember 39, Figure 6. The upper surface of the worm gear 34 has fixedthereto for rotation therewith a bevel pinion 31 which is normallyoperatively meshed with a bevel pinion 38 which is slidably keyed upon across-shaft 39. The cross-shaft 39 is parallel to the drive shaft 39 andits opposite ends are journaled in side frame members 56 of thesnow-removal attachment 42. As best seen in Figure 9, a collar 43 isfixed to the driven shaft 39 at one side of the bevel gear 38. Anexpansive coil spring 44 is concentrically-disposed about the drivenshaft 39 between the collar 43 and gear 38 to load the latter intomeshing engagement with the bevel pinion 31. Thus, with the partsdisposed as in Figure 9, rotation of the drive shaft 35 drives thedriven shaft 39 in the same direction through the worm 33, worm gear 34and bevel pinions 31 and 38. A movable clutch collar 45 is slidable androtatable on the driven shaft 39 on the opposite side of the bevel gear38 and bears thereagainst. The clutch collar 45 is provided with ratchetclutch teeth 48 which normally mesh with complementary ratchet teeth 41of a fixed clutch collar 48 which is likewise journaled on the drivenshaft 39. A fixed collar 49 on the shaft 39 maintains the clutch collars45 and 48 against lateral movement in one direction. The fixed clutchcollar 49 includes an integral arm 50 extending forwardly which isadjustably secured to the frame member 36 of the attachment 42 in anysuitable manner, as by hook bolt 52 and nuts 5|, Figure 9. Movableclutch collar 45 has a vertically-directed integral arm 53, the upperend of which is pivotally connected to a link 54 extending rearwardlyalongside the tractor. The rear end of the link 54 is pivoted in anysuitable manner to an actuating lever 55 disposed on one of the sideframe members 2| adjacent the operators seat for the tractor. A pull onthe link 54 in a direction toward the bottom of the sheet, Figure 9,will cause a cam action between the complementary teeth 49 and 41 of theclutch collars, whereby the movable clutch collar 45 is cammed to theright along the driven shaft 39. This action moves the gear 38 to theright along the shaft 39 out of meshing engagement with the pinion 31.When this happens, the driven shaft 39 is disconnected from the driveshaft 30 and will remain stationary. At

this time, it should be noted that the worm gear 34 is in constant meshwith the worm wheel 33 irrespective of the position of the attachment42. That is to say, as will appear later, the attachment 42 may beraised or lowered to and from an operative position and likewise willmove vertically to some extent during use. Despite such verticalmovement, the Worm gear 34 moves about the Worm wheel 33 with aplanetary action so as to remain constantly in mesh therewith.

The outer ends of the driven shaft 39 extend laterally outwardly of theside frame members 56 of the attachment 42 and have fixed thereon forrotation therewith a pair of chain sprocket pulleys 51. Such pulleys 51are connected by chains 58 to chain sprocket pulleys 59 fixed to therunning gear wheels M of the tractor. As best seen in Figures 2 and 7,the chain sprockets 59 are spaced from the running gear wheels M bycylindrical spacers 60 secured to such Wheels by bolts 6|. Likewise, thesprocket pulleys 59 include self-centering clamps 62 which are clampedabout the drive axle l6 of the tractor by means of bolts 63. Thus, withthe main drive for the Wheels M in neutral, and the clutch collars 45and 48 engaged, rotation of the drive shaft 33 in the direction of thearrows will drive the driven shaft 33 in the same direction and thisdriving action is transmitted to the running gear wheels l4 through thepulleys 51, chains 58 and pulleys 59, whereby to propel the tractor fromthe power take-off l5. This operation has the advantage of providing aconstant low-gear drive for the tractor which operates continuouslyduring the operation of the rotary snow-removal attachment'to bedescribed later. In this connection, it should be noted that the wormwheel 33 and the associated gearing operatively connecting the same tothe running gear wheels |4 comprises a reduction gearing which ispreferably of a low-gear ratio, whereby to propel the tractor l3 at aspeed suitable for the removal of snow. Obviously, by actuation of thelever 55 and link 54, the clutch collars 45 and 48 may be disengaged topermit driving of the tractor through the main drive to the running gearwheels l4. This is advantageous when going along a clear road to andfrom the snow-removal job, and likewise permits the use of thehigher-gear ratios of the main drive when plowing a light snow.

The frame for the attachment 42 comprises a forwardly-directed scoopwhich is rearwardly braced by side brace members 54 and which comprisesside walls 65 connected together by suitable cross-frame members 69, afloor 61 and a rear wall 68. As best seen in Figure 8, the floor 61 issupported atop the push bars 4| and a central portion of the floor isformed with a depressed arcuate channel 69 for a purpose to be apparentlater. The leading edges of the push bars 4| are provided withdetachable runners 10 which are secured thereto in any suitable manner,as by the bolts shown. Likewise, the leading edge of the floor 61 isprovided with a detachable scraper edge 1| which may comprise atransverselydirected angle iron detachably secured to the leading edgeof the floor 61 by any suitable means, such as the bolts shown. Thus,the runners 10 and scraper 1| which are subjected to the greatest Wearare readily replaceable when worn or damaged. By reason of the pivotalconnection of the push bars 4| with the drive shaft 30, the attachment42 will ride up and down over surface irregularities as the attachmentis pushed forwardly by the tractor l3.

' As best seen in Figure 3, the inner surfaces of the side walls 65 ofthe scoop have plates I2 attached thereto providing inwardly-directedbearings I3 for the opposite ends of a transversely-extending drivenshaft I4. An intermediate portion of the shaft I4 may be supported in abearing I5 supported by a vertical support I6 fixed to the floor 61 ofthe scoop. The shaft 14 has fixed thereon for rotation therewith a pairof laterally-spaced drums I6, each of which is formed with a helicalconveyor blade 11. As clearly shown, the blades 11 are disposed inopposite directions and are 180 ofiset relative to each other. Thedisposition of the blades is such that, upon normal rotation of thedrums I8 with the shafts 14, snow scooped up by the leading edge II ofthe scraper will be fed from both sides of the scoop to the middlethereof, and rearwardly toward the rear wall 68.

The rear wall of the scoop is formed with a circular opening 18 thereinfor supplying snow from the blades TI to a blower housing 88 disposedrearwardly of the scoop. The channel 69 in the floor 61 of the scoop isconcentric with the opening I8 to provide free passage of snow throughthe aperture. A driven shaft 8| extends axially through the blowerhousing 80 and may be journaled, as at I9, to the cross-frame member 36aforesaid. The forward end of the shaft 8| may be journaled in thebearing I5 aforesaid,

as clearly shown in Figure 2. The shaft 8| has fixed thereon anysuitable rotary blower 84 which is concentrically disposed within thehousing 8|]. The blower 84 is of the type receiving material from theregion of the axis thereof and discharg- 1.

ing the same radially. For this purpose, the housing 8|] is providedwith a pair of upwardly and laterally outwardly-directed dischargespouts 8'2 and 83. The discharge spout 82 discharges to the right of thetractor I3, while the discharge spout 83 discharges to the left. Thus,snow fed into the housing 88 through the opening I8 is dischargedlaterally of the tractor through either the spout 82 or the spout 83,depending upon the direction of rotation of the impeller or blower 84.To insure the discharge of snow through but a single one of the spouts82 or 83, there is provided an arcuate closure 85 which isconcentrically disposed about the blower 84 in slidable relation to thecylindrical wall of the housing 88. The closure 85 is so proportionedthat when disposed across the opening of one discharge spout, ituncovers the opening to the other discharge spout and vice versa. Anupper portion of the closure 85 is provided with an upwardly-directedstem 86 which is secured to a transversely-extending hand grip 81 to bedescribed laterand illustrated in Figure 12. It will suffice at thistime to state that the hand grip 81: is provided with a pair ofdepending arms 88 and 89 which are fixed respectively to journals 9i)and SI journaled on the driven shaft 8 I. The stem 86 extends through anopening formed in the upper wall portion of the housing 80, while thelegs 88 and 88 straddle such housing. Such opening in the upper wallportion of the housing 88 is closed by corresponding portions of theclosure 85 to retain the snow in the housing and cause it to bedischarged through one or the other of the spouts.

As best seen in Figures 10 and 11 in connection with Figure 12, the rearend of the driven shaft 8| has fixed thereto a bevel pinion 93 which isadapted to mesh with either of the bevel reversing gears 94 or 95, whichare slidably keyed on the drive shaft 89. The inner sides of thereversing gears 94 and 95 are provided with grooved collars 99 which arerotatably engaged by forks 91 of a yoke 98. The bight of the yoke 98 isjournaled on a spindle 99 which in turn is fixed to and rearwardlydirected from a reversing arm I fixed to the journal 9| for the handlever 81 aforesaid. Thus, as the lever 87 is swung in either directionto close a selected spout 82 or 83, the direction of rotation of thedriven shaft 8| is simultaneously reversed so that the blower 84 isdriven in a direction appropriate to discharge snow through the selectedspout.

The forward end of the driven shaft 8| has fixed thereto a bevel pinionIOI which is normally meshed with one or the other of a pair of bevelreversing gears I02 and I93. The reversing gears I02 and I03 areslidably keyed upon the driven shaft I4 for the drums It. The innerfaces of the reversing gears I 02 and I83 are formed with groovedcollars I84 which engage the forks I of a yoke I88. The bight of theyoke I86 is pivoted on a spindle I81 which in turn is forwardly directedand fixed to a reversing arm I88 fixed to the journal 80. The structurejust described is best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 11 and 12. Thearrangement is such that at each reversal of rotation of the drivenshaft 8| for the blower 84, the reversing gears IE2 or I83 are actuatedso that the drums IE continue to rotate in their original direction.Thus, the effect of the reversing gears I82 and I83 is to maintainuni-directional rotation of the drums l6 and blades 11 carried therebyirrespective of the direction of rotation of the driven shaft SI and theblower 84. As is readily apparent from Figure 12, both gearshiitingmeans are simultaneously actuated as the closure 85 is swung to open orclose a selected closure for one of the discharge spouts 82 or 83.

Means are provided to protect the reversing gears I82 and I93, togetherwith the related parts, from damage incident to snow and ice. Such meansis best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 2, and comprises a cylindrical housingI59 which is telescoped within the adjacent ends of the drums IS inconcentric relation to the driven shaft I4 and the reversing gears I83and I542. The housing I89 is supported in stationary relation by thesupport I8 for the bearing I5 to which support it is secured by bolts IIt. The housing I09 preferably comprises at least two pieces of sheetmaterial to permit assembly and disassembly thereof, and a rear portionof the same is provided with an opening I I I rotatably receiving thejournal 98 aforesaid. Thus, as clearly seen in a Figure 4, all of theactuating parts for the reversing gears I82 and I83 are contained withinthe housing I09, whereby they are protected against damage from snow orice.

When the tractor I3 is being driven through the drive pulleys 57 andchains 58 from the power take-off, it is obvious that both of thepulleys 51 rotate at the same speed if a fixed connection between themand the shaft 39 is provided. This would be disadvantageous in the eventthat it is necessary to make a turn with the tractor, as in such a turnthe rear wheels I4 of the tractor would inherently be rotated atdifferent speeds, whereby to twist the drive shaft 39. Consequently,there is provided in Figure 13 a connection between the pulleys orsprockets 5! and the shaft 39. This connection comprises a collar I28fixed to the shaft 89 just inwardly of each pulley 5?. The outer surfaceof each collar I26 is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth I2Iwhich mesh with ratchet teeth I22 of complementary form carried by theinner side surface ofv the pulleys 51. It. is apparent, therefore, thatthe pulleys. 57 are freely rotatable on the shaft 39. To provide a slipclutch arrangement, a coil spring. E24 is positioned about the shaft 39in an axial recess [23 formed in the outer side surface of each pulley57. The spring E24 is held in place by a washer I25 on the shaft and thewasher in turn is secured by any suitable means, such as the cotter key[23. It follows from the foregoing that as the shaft I39 is rotated inthe direction of the arrow by the power take-off shaft, the teeth 12!and [22 are retained in a meshed condition whereby the pulleys 57 aredriven by the shaft. The spring I24 serves to hold the teeth in meshingengagement. However, when the tractor makes a turn, a speeding-up of theoutside ground-engaging wheel Hi will cause one of the pulleys 51 toslip relative to its collar E23 in a well known manner. provision isthat when the power take-off shaft is inactivated and the tractor isbeing driven by its normal drive through the wheels Hi, there is no needto disconnect the chains 58. This is because normal forward driving ofthe tractor will cause both pulleys or sprockets 5? to slip over theshaft 39, whereby the blower and snow plow attachment are not driven.Thus, as long as the tractor is being driven forwardly in a normalmanner, there is no need to disconnect the snow plow attachment from therunning gear, as the attachment will not be driven until the main drivefor the tractor is placed in neutral and the drive through the powertake-off shaft is en aged.

In the operation of the device, when the tractor I3 is not being usedfor snow removal, the hand lever 55 is retracted to disengage the clutchcollars and 48 and thereby disconnect the driven shaft 39 from therunning gear 14. At this time, it is also desirable to pivot theattachment 42 to an elevated inoperative position for road travel. Thismay be accomplished by the hydraulic lift unit arms H2 which areconnected by links H3 to upper portions of the frame of the attachment42. In this connection, it is understood that the pivotal connection H5of the links H3 to the attachment 42 is on a plane above the pivotalconnection 40 of the push bars il with the drive shaft 30. Thus, as seenin Figure 1, when the lift arms H2 are rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, the attachment 42 is elevated by being swung upwardly to theinoperative position. The

tractor l3 may now be driven along the road through its usual main driveuntil it reaches a point where it is to be used for snow removal. Atsuch point, the main drive is put into neutral, the lift arms H2 areswung in a clockwise direction until the runners 10 rest on the ground.The hand lever is now moved forwardly to permit the clutch collars 45and 48 to engage and power is transmitted to the power take-off pulleyl5, whereby to drive the drive shaft 30, the driven shaft 39, whereby topropel the tractor as aforesaid, and also the driven shafts 8| and M,whereby to rotate the fan and the drums 16 and associated blades 11. Ifthe wind direction, or the situation is such that snow is to bedischarged from the blower in a given direction, the hand lever 81 isappropriately moved to reverse the blower, and close off thenon-selected discharge spout.

A feature of the invention is that the entire snow-removal deviceincluding the attachment 42 and the main frame for the same includingthe A further feature of this side frame members 21 may all be readilydetached from the tractor [3 when the last snow of the year has beenremoved, whereby thetractor may be utilized for normal farm use.Obviously, the attachment may be re-applied to the tractor with thecoming of the first snowfall.

While I have shown and described what is now, thought to be a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the same issusceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limitmyself to the precise structure shown and described hereinabove exceptas hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

In a tractor including a main frame and a drive shaft supported on saidmain frame, an auxiliary frame arranged adjacent the forward end of saidmain frame and having one end mounted thereon for movement into and outof engagement. with a snow covered surface, hand actuable meansoperable, adjacentto the driver's seat of said. tractor and operativelyconnected to said auxiliary frame fOr effecting the movement. of thelatter, scraping means arranged beneath the other end of said auxiliaryframe and fixedly secured thereto for engagement with said snow coveredsurface, a pair of horizontally disposed feeding drums positioned inend-to-end spaced relation with respect to each other above saidscraping means and rotatably supported on said auxiliary frame, gearingmeans operatively connecting said driving shaft to said feeding drums torotate the latter whereby snow is fed along each of said drums towardthe spaced ends thereof, a housing arranged intermediate said spacedends of said feeding drums and in communication with said drums forreceiving the snow from said drums, a pair of discharge spouts arrangedin diverging spaced relation with respect to each other adjacent thesides of said auxiliary frame and each having one end in communicationwith said housing, closure means positioned contiguous to the housingcommunicating end of said discharge spouts and mounted within saidhousing for movement from a position in closing relation with one ofsaid spouts to a position in closing relation with the other of saidspouts, blower means disposed within said housing in communication withsaid drums and said discharge spouts for ejecting snow through theselect one of said spouts, and means operatively connected to saidclosure means and said blower means for simultaneously opening theselect one of said discharge spouts and for driving said blower means ina direction to discharge said snow through the select one of saidspouts.

LEONARD J. GILLIES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 395,548 Corbett Jan. 1, 18891,587,449 Wandscheer June 1,1926 1,624,145 Mosher Apr. 12, 19.271,701,767 Barry Feb. 12, 1929 1,709,243 Wolkers Apr. 16, 1929 2,136,214Keith Nov. 8, 1938 2,202,345 Johnson May 28, 1940 2,381,017 WandscheerAug. 7, 1945

